The Fernie Nordic Society is a BC registered non-profit organization founded in Fernie in the fall of 2006. From a small group of dedicated nordic ski enthusiasts, the membership of the Society has grown to an impressive 1,170 members during the 2022-2023 season.
From the beginning, a program of lessons for young skiers was set up following the guidelines from the provincial organization CrossCountry BC. For a quick overview of the Fernie Nordic Society’s milestones, view this timeline
Our Mission
Providing exceptional crosscountry skiing opportunities for residents and visitors of all ages
Our Vision
A community of skiers supporting first class crosscountry skiing experiences
Our Purpose
♦ High quality trails, facilities and equipment
♦ Excellent services and multi-level skier development programs
♦ Effective relationships and partnerships
♦ A vibrant, sustainable organization with an engaged membership
Guiding Principles
We are:
♦ Volunteer-driven
♦ Safety conscious
♦ Welcoming
♦ Transparent
♦ Affordable
Summary of 2023 – 2024 Season
The Board of Directors
All members of the board of directors of the Fernie Nordic Society are volunteers and also enthusiasts of cross-country skiing and other winter sports. The current board of directors is composed of the following people:
| Megan Lohmann | Co-Chair – Partnerships |
| Jane Stevens | Secretary |
| Johnny Shaw | Director of Skier Development |
| – vacant – | Director – Race Team |
| Matthieu Corriveau | Treasurer |
| Mike De Jong | Director of Operations |
| Sam Sedlowsky | Director of Facilities |
| – vacant – | Director-at-Large |
| – vacant – | Co-Chair – Operations |
| Laurie Bemi | Director of Membership |
Latest Meeting of Directors
Read the meeting minutes
Previous meeting minutes are available HERE
Fernie Nordic Society By-laws
Our by-laws have been updated. Read more.
Added culverts for better grooming of multi-use trail from dyke along the river north of the golf course.
Another great season: 1,170 members, 20 race team members from ages 9 to 17 and 70 kids in the SDP program. Popular events returned: Pumpkin Hunt, Community Fun Races and Flying Viking Challenge.
The personnel of the Fernie Golf Course started grooming the dyke up to the Dogwood boat launch in March. More multi-use trails for the winter.
Membership at 946 members, 79 SDP kids and 17 Racers. Expanded adult ski lessons program. Improved weekday grooming at EVNC. Trails closed on April 22. COVID-19 pandemic at end of season.
Clearing of trees, area grading, surface cover with gravel and wood chips near the warming hut and on the wedding party space enlarged the useable area for skiers and guests.
Another membership record with 985 members, 89 SDP kids and 14 Racers. Lots of fun events. Beautifully groomed trails.
FNS acquired its first snowcat to be used by volunteers to groom the Nordic Centre trails. It is a Bombardier BR-400 of the 1994 vintage still in very good condition. Happy trails!
A physical training program for adults 50+ is initiated to prepare for the ski season. Coach Jeff is overseeing the daily program. Five initial participants.
Membership 851 SDP kids 81 Racers 19
Snow-to-Ice(cream) event for Griz Days from March 1 to 4. First ever Fernie 
The total membership of the club surpasses 830 members
Another great season! Total membership 722, SDP kids 52, Racers 20. Improved trail grooming all around. New interpretive kiosks installed at the Nordic Centre. The Teck Kootenay Cup event is cancelled due to winter weather.
The last touches were made to the warming hut exterior during the summer of 2016. The siding was installed. Inside the window trim, walls and insulation were done and a new woodstove installed.
Record numbers Membership 747 SDP kids 73 Racers 15
The club held the first Teck Kootenay Cup race in Fernie on February 13, 2016 at the Elk Valley Nordic Centre
The first Great Pumpkin Hunt held at the Nordic Centre was a great success with 190 kids of ages up to 9 yo participating.
The construction work on the connector to Fernie Alpine Resort is completed. Received grant from RCR.
Membership 573
The Elk Valley Nordic Centre is officially open on this date in the presence of special guests olympian Beckie Scott and mayor Mary Giuliano.
A new bridge is built over the Lizard Creek to connect the trails on The Cedars property to the ones planned on the Galloway Lumber side. The sponsorship by the Teck company allowed for the contruction of the timber covered steel and concrete structure.
During the summer, the trail designer marked the trails within the Galloway land. Another 6 km of trails was added.
The local race team is created from young member skiers in the club under the supervision of coaches Jeff Williams and Naomi Lentz.
The new logo was adopted while keeping the original colours of the previous design.
The trail designer Reidar Zapf-Gilje starts a survey on the lands owned by The Cedars development and the Galloway Lumber company to establish the initial trail network of 4 km.
Second season for the Fernie Nordic Society.
First season of the Society.